Rubber composition and golf ball comprising it

ABSTRACT

A rubber composition comprising at least one natural and/or synthetic rubber component(s), fine inorganic fibers subjected to a surface treatment with a surface treating agent and a non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent and a golf ball comprising the composition which exhibits excellent durability, bounce impact elasticity and excellent feeling upon hitting.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/204,310 filed Jun. 9, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,966.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a rubber composition having improved mechanical properties, particularly an excellent compressive strength.

This invention also relates to a golf ball which comprises the rubber composition mentioned above and has excellent durability, bounce impact elasticity (flight characteristics) and excellent feeling upon hitting.

This invention further relates to a rubber composition particularly suitable for a cover layer of a golf ball.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Rubber compositions, unlike plastics, exhibit viscoelasticity and, by the virture of this property, have found utility in a wide variety of fields such as civil engineering, the machine industry, electrical industry and chemical industry. In recent years, rubber compositions have been required to possess high hardness, high elasticity, high strength, extremely high compressive strength and excellent wear resistance to meet diversified needs by the same token that high-strength plastics had been developed. Further, those rubber composition are in most cases required to possess at least two of such highly improved properties simultaneously.

Golf balls, for example, are required to ensure flight stability, long flight distance characteristics and the like. The rubber compositions used in golf balls, therefore, are required to have well controlled properties such as bounce impact elasticity, compressive strength and hardness, and various rubber compositions having improved properties have been proposed.

For example, a golf ball composed of a composition containing metal salt monomers of an α,β-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid has been proposed. In this type of golf ball, the monomers had been grafted on the main chain of the rubber component of polybutadiene in the presence of a free radical initiator to function as a co-cross-linking agent, and thereby hardness is imparted to the ball. However, the sufficient durability and bounce impact elasticity have not been obtained with such golf ball. The hardness of a golf ball can be controlled by the amount of the cross-linking agent, however, increased amount of the cross-linking agent would cause a decline of the bounce impact elasticity.

For the purpose of the improvement of hardness and wear resistance of rubber compositions, various compositions incorporated with finely divided inorganic material have been also proposed, however, the decrease of the elasticity and decrease of compression fracture strength are inevitably caused without exception. The incorporation of long staple fibers has been proved to be effective for enhancing the strength of the composition, however, the incorporation of such fibers impairs the surface smoothness and also fails to produce any significant improvement in elasticity and hardness.

Based on the technical concept of those conventional methods mentioned above, use of fine fibers in a rubber composition was proposed, however, they exhibit poor wettability to a rubber material to cause slippage between their surfaces and the rubber material. Because of the slippage, it is difficult to obtain the desired properties in such composite material, though the fine fibers can be dispersed uniformly in a given rubber composition. Therefore, a surface treatment of the fibers has often remained as a problem to be solved. It is well known that hydrolyzable silyl compounds are effective surface treating agents, but the compound(s) must be selected to suit the particular kind of a rubber component used in the composition and the surface treatment with the compound(s) requires highly advanced skill.

We have already found that a sulfur-containing silyl compound possesses an excellent affinity to rubber components and serves as an excellent agent for the surface treatment mentioned above. However, heretofore such sulfur-containing silyl compounds have been invariably directed to sulfur vulcanizing systems, and it has been believed that the sulfur-containing silyl compound cannot be used for a non-sulfur vulcanizing system since it has been supposed that the non-sulfur vulcanization would be inhibited with the sulfur-containing silyl compound judging from its vulcanization mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a high-performance rubber composition having high elasticity, high strength and high compression property, and vulcanizable with a non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf ball which has excellent durability, bounce impact elasticity and hardness and which can give excellent feeling upon hitting with a golf club and a long flight distance.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a rubber composition suitable for molding a cover layer of a golf ball, which has an excellent durability, bounce impact elasticity and hardness and which can give an excellent feeling upon hitting and a long flight distance when used in a golf ball.

The first aspect of the invention provides a rubber composition comprising at least one natural and/or synthetic rubber component(s). fine inorganic fibers subjected to a surface treatment with a surface treating agent and a non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent. The rubber composition may further comprise cross-linking monomers.

The second aspect of the invention provides a golf ball comprising the rubber composition mentioned above. The golf ball of the present invention includes:

a) a solid golf ball made solely of the rubber composition mentioned above,

b) a two-piece golf ball which comprises a core of elastic rubber and a cover layer of a hard elastomer, wherein the core and/or the cover layer are/is composed of the rubber composition mentioned above,

c) a three-piece golf ball which comprises a core of elastic rubber, an intermediate layer of elastic rubber and a cover layer of hard elastomer, wherein at least one of the core, the intermediate layer and the cover layer is(are) composed of the rubber composition mentioned above, and

d) a thread wound golf ball which comprises a spherical core, an intermediate layer formed by winding a elastic thread on the spherical core with high tension and a cover layer, wherein the core and/or the cover layer are/is composed of the rubber composition mentioned above.

The third aspect of the invention provides a rubber composition for a cover layer of a golf ball, which comprises at least one natural and/or synthetic rubber component(s) and alkali metal titanate fibers subjected to a surface treatment with a surface treating agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As the rubber component of the composition of the invention, any of the various known rubbers can be used. Examples of the rubber component include natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CR), butyl rubber (IIR), acrylic rubber (AR), urethane rubber (UR). silicone rubber (SiR), fluorocarbon rubber (FR), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR), chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSM). ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber (EVA), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polyisobutylene (PIB), alfin rubber (AL), polyester rubber (ESR), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECR), chlorinated isobutylene-isoprene rubber (CIR). nitrile-isobutylene rubber (NIR), ionomer resin, trans-polyisoprene resin and the like.

The rubber component preferably contains at least 30% by weight of polybutadiene of cis-1,4-configuration, because the hardness and bounce impact elasticity of the composition containing such rubber component are particularly improved. Though it is not clear why this improvement is caused, it is supposed that the reinforcing effect efficiently utilizing the shape of the fine fibers contained in the composition is obtained due to the reaction of the sulfur component of the surface treating agent with polybutadiene of cis-1,4-configuration. This theory is supported by the fact that a greater improvement of hardness and bounce of impact elasticity can be obtained in the compositions utilizing such sulfur-containing surface treating agent than those utilizing a conventional surface treating agent containing no sulfur component, for example, alkoxysilane type surface treating agent such as methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.

When the rubber composition of the present invention is used as a hard elastomer of the surface cover layer in a multi-layer golf-ball such as two-piece golf ball, three-piece golf ball, thread wound golf ball and the like, the rubber component is preferably ionomer resin or trans-polyisoprene resin from the viewpoint of the high elasticity and wear resistance.

As an example of the ionomer resin, there can be mentioned an ionic copolymer which is obtained by reacting a copolymer of an α-olefin represented by the general formula of R--CH═CH₂ wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms with a metal compound.

Examples of the α-olefin mentioned above include ethylene, propylene, butene-1, pentene-1, hexene-1, heptene-1, 3-methylbutene-1, 4-methylpentene-1 and the like. Though α-olefins having larger numbers of carbon atoms than those mentioned above may be used in the present invention, they are unsuitable for practical use because of their unavailability. These α-olefins may be used alone or in any combination thereof. The content of the α-olefins in the copolymer is preferably at least 50 molar %, particularly at least 80 molar % from the view point of the moldability and physical properties of the composition.

Examples of the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid; monesters of dicarboxylic acid such as monomethyl maleate and monoethyl fumarate; and anhydrides of dicarboxylic acid such as maleic anhydride, but it is not limited to those specific examples. These α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids may be used alone or in any combination thereof. The content of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid in the copolymer is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 25 mole %, particularly in the range of 1 to 10 mole %. Further, the copolymer may contain any monomer component other than the α-olefin and α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, which is copolymerizable with the α-olefin and α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid to replace a part of the α-olefin. Examples of such monomer include styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile vinyl methyl ether and the like.

The copolymer composed of the α-olefin and the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid is not limited to those obtained by directly copolymerizing a mixture of the monomers, and it also includes those obtained by graft polymerization where the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers are grafted on a base polymer produced from the α-olefin.

The ionic copolymer can be obtained by reacting the copolymer obtained as above with a metal compound generating metal ions to neutralize the copolymer.

Examples of the metal ion suitable for the preparation of the ionic copolymer include those of the metals of Group I and Group II of the periodic table, i.e., Na, K, Li, Cs, Cu, Ag, Be, Ng, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd and Hg, and they can be used alone or in any combination thereof. Owing to the employment of those metal ions, cross-linkings are advantageously formed during the formation of the ionic copolymer. Among those metal ions cited above, Na and Zn are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of the melt workability of the copolymer and the physical properties exhibited in the solid state of the copolymer. The amount of the ion to be used or the degree of the neutralization of the copolymer can not be specifically fixed, because they are variable depending on the desired properties in the solid state and melting property of the ionic copolymer. In order to significantly change the properties of the copolymer in the solid state, the amount of the ion is preferably enough to neutralize at least 10% of the carboxyl groups in the copolymer, and the neutralization can be generally effected up to about 90 % of the carboxyl groups in the copolymer. The degree of neutralization for optimizing the physical properties of the copolymer also can not specifically fixed, because the optimum properties are variable depending on the use for which the copolymer is intended and further because the physical properties of the ionic copolymer are variable depending on the amount of the carboxylic group in the copolymer, the molecular weight of the copolymer and the like. However, it is generally preferable to neutralize at least 50% of the carboxyl groups in the copolymer.

The metal ions mentioned above can be obtained by dissolving a metal compound generating such ions, for example, an inorganic metal compound such as sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate and an organic metal compound such as sodium methoxide, sodium formate and sodium acetate in water or an organic solvent such as methanol.

The method for the production of the ionic copolymer from the aforementioned copolymer and the metal ion is not particularly limited, and any conventional method can be used for the production.

The molecular weight of the ionic copolymer can be conveniently expressed with the melt index (MI), which serves as a criterion of the melt viscosity and described in ASTM D 1238. The MI of the ionic copolymer is advantageously in the range of 0.1 to 100 g/10 minutes (190° C.), particularly in the range of 0.5 to 20 g/10 minutes (190° C.). The ionic copolymer of which MI is approximately in the range of 0.1 to 100 g/10 minutes has the excellent melt workability and exhibits high toughness, suitable elasticity and flexibility in the solid state.

The trans-polyisoprene resin used in the present invention occurs as a main component of natural resin such as balata and gutta-percha obtainable from natural plants and it has a molecular configuration of trans-1,4-polyisoprene. As a typical commercially available product of the resin, Kuraray Trans-Polyisoprene TP-301, Kuraray Isoprene Chemical Co., Ltd. can be mentioned.

The terms of "fine inorganic fibers" in the present invention refers to inorganic fibers having an average length of 1 μm to 1 mm, preferably 5 to 300 μm, and an aspect ratio of 5 to 1,000, preferably 10 to 300. The fine inorganic fibers having an average length and aspect ratio in the range defined above exhibit an excellent reinforcing property and uniform dispersibility, and thereby they can produce an uniform strength distribution of the composition. As the fine inorganic fibers of the present invention, inorganic whiskers are particularly preferred. Examples of the fine inorganic fibers include alumina fibers, silicic acid fibers, titania fibers, magnesium silicate fibers, calcium silicate fibers, calcium sulfate fibers, silicon carbide fibers, titanium carbide fibers, boron carbide fibers, boron nitride fibers, titanium nitride fibers, carbon nitride fibers, carbon boride fibers, silicon boride fibers, titanium boride fibers, sodium titanate fibers, potassium titanate fibers, lithium titanate fibers, calcium titanate fibers, magnesium titanate fibers, barium titanate fibers and the like. Among those fine inorganic fibers exemplified above, the potassium titanate fibers are particularly preferable material, because they exhibit an excellent reinforcing effect and heat resistance, permit the coloration of a desired hue owing to the outstanding whiteness thereof, ensure the easy production of fine fibers of uniform length and show the uniform dispersibility in the composite material.

The terms "potassium titanate fibers" in the present invention refers to single crystal fibers represented by the formula: K₂ O.nTiO₂ or by the general formula: K₂ O.nTiO₂ 1/2H₂ O wherein n is an integer of 2 to 8. Examples of the potassium titanate fibers include potassium tetratitanate fibers, potasium hexatitanate fibers and potassium octatitanate fibers. These potassium titanate fibers can be used alone or in any combination thereof. The potassium titanate fibers preferably possess an average fiber diameter in the range of 0.1 to 2 μm, average fiber length in the range of 5 to 100 μm and aspect ratio in the range of 10 to 200. The average fiber diameter and the average fiber length are determined by measuring the values of each fiber by means of a scanning electron microscope and calculating the average of those values of at least 10 fibers per each of at least five fields of the view. The aspect ratio is obtained by dividing the average fiber length by the average fiber diameter.

As the surface treating agent for the fine inorganic fibers of the invention, sulfur-containing silane compounds such as a silane compound bearing mercapto group and a sulfide compound bearing silyl group can be mentioned.

Typical examples of the silane compound bearing mercapto group mentioned above are those compound represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein each R¹ independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, each R² independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, each X independently represents a hydrolyzable group, a is an integer of from 1 to 3, and b is an integer of from 0 to 2 with proviso of 1≦(a+b)≦3.

Examples of R¹ include ethylene group, trimethylene group, tetramethylene group, pentamethylene group, hexamethylene group and the like. Among the examples mentioned above, R¹ is preferably ethylene group or trimethylene group, particularly trimethylene group.

Examples of R² include an alkyl group such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, octyl group, decyl group, dodecyl group and octadecyl group; alkenyl group such as vinyl group and allyl group; aryl group such as phenyl group and tolyl group; aralkyl group such as benzyl group, β-phenylethyl group and β-phenylpropyl group; and substituted hydrocarbon group such as β-cyanoethyl group, γ-chloropropyl group, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group and chlorophenyl group. The group of R₂ is selected depending on the kind of the rubber component and the purpose to which the product is intended. The group of R² of a long chain alkyl is suitable for a rubber component containing no aromatic ring, R² of aryl group or aralkyl group is suitable for a rubber component containing aromatic rings and R² of a substituted hydrocarbon group is suitable for a rubber component containing substituents such as halogen atoms or nitrile groups.

The symbol X represents a hydrolyzable group bonding to a silicon atom. Examples of the group X include an alkoxy group such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group and butoxy group; alkoxyalkoxy group such as β-methoxyethoxy group, β-ethoxyethoxy group and β-butoxyethoxy group; enoxy group such as isopropenyloxy group; ketoximato group such as dimethyl ketoximato group and methylethyl ketoximato group; amino group such as diethylamino group and dibutylamino group; aminooxy group such as diethylaminooxy group; acyloxy group such as acetoxy group and octanoyloxy group; and amide group such as N-methylacetamide group. The group X is preferably selected from lower alkoxy groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms from the view point of the reactivity with the surface of fine inorganic fibers, and methoxy group is most preferable because of its outstanding reactivity.

The symbol a denotes an integer of from 1 to 3, preferably less than 2 in average, and b denotes an integer of from 0 to 2, preferably not more than 1 in average. If the value of a and b are unduly large, the number of the hydrolyzable groups become small and thereby the reactivity of the compound with the inorganic fibers is lowered. If the value of a is unduly small, the effect of the mercapto group on the rubber component is lowered. Accordingly, silane compound bearing mercapto group is preferably controlled such that the average value of a is 1 and that the average value of b is less than 1.

Typical examples of the sulfide compound bearing silyl group are those compounds represented by the following general formula; ##STR2## wherein each R³ independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, each R⁴ independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group, c is an integer of from 0 to 2 and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.

Examples of R³ include alkyl group such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, octyl group, decyl group, dodecyl group and octadecyl group; alkenyl group such as vinyl group and allyl group; aryl group such as phenyl group and tolyl group; aralkyl group such as benzyl group, β-phenylethyl group and β-phenylpropyl group; and substituted hydrocarbon group such as β-cyanoethyl group, γ-chloropropyl group, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group and chlorophenyl group. The group of R³ is selected depending on the kind of the rubber component and the purpose to which the product is intended. The group of R³ of a long chain alkyl is suitable for a rubber component containing no aromatic ring, R³ of aryl group or aralkyl group is suitable for a rubber component containing aromatic rings and R³ of a substituted hydrocarbon group is suitable for a rubber component containing substituents such as halogen atoms or nitrile groups.

Examples of R⁴ include ethylene group, trimethylene group, tetramethylene group, pentamethylene group, hexamethylene group and the like. Among the examples mentioned above, R⁴ is preferably ethylene group or trimethylene group, particularly trimethylene group.

The symbol Y represents a hydrolyzable group bonding to the silicon atom. Examples of the group Y include an alkoxy group such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group and butoxy group; alkoxyalkoxy group such as β-methoxyethoxy group, β-ethoxyethoxy group and β-butoxyethoxy group; enoxy group such as isopropenyloxy group; ketoximato group such as dimethyl ketoximato group and methylethyl ketoximato group; amino group such as diethylamino group and dibutylamino group; aminooxy group such as diethylaminooxy group; acyloxy group such as acetoxy group and octanoyloxy group; and amide group such as N-methylacetamide group. The group Y is preferably selected from lower alkoxy groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms from the view point of the reactivity with the surface of fine inorganic fibers, and propoxy group is particularly preferable because the compound having propoxy groups as the group of Y can be easily synthesized and have good stability.

The symbol c denotes an integer of from 0 to 2. The sulfide compound bearing silyl group represented by the formula II preferably contains at least one, preferably two of the hydrolyzable groups reactive to the surface of the inorganic fibers. Therefore, the value of c is preferably less than 2 in average. The symbol n denotes an integer of from 1 to 6, and the average value of n is preferably 2 to 4 from the viewpoint of the ease of synthesis, affinity for the rubber and inability to inhibit the vulcanization of the compound.

Those surface treating agents defined above can be used alone or in any combination thereof.

In the present invention, the fine inorganic fibers are treated with aforementioned surface treating agent. The amount of the surface treating agent is preferably in the range of about 0.05% to 10% by weight based on the amount of the fibers. So long as the amount is in this range, the surface treating agent sufficiently improves the surface property of the fine inorganic fibers, and consequently the physical properties of the rubber composition are improved without inhibiting the subsequent vulcanization.

The treatment with the surface treating agent can be effected according to any of the conventional methods. For example, the treatment can be carried out by spraying the surface treating agent or the dilution of the surface treating agent on the fine inorganic fibers, or mixing the agent with the fibers homogeneously, or impregnating the fibers with the agent to deposit the agent on the surface of the fibers uniformly. Then, the agent on the fibers are dried by heating or hydrolyzed to be immobilized on the fibers as a uniform coating.

The surface treating agent used in the invention contains a sulfur atom in the molecular structure. Hitherto, such compounds, particularly those containing a sulfur atom in a terminal mercapto group have been known to cause an inhibition of the vulcanization utilizing a peroxide type vulcanizing agent and impairs the physical properties of rubber. However, it was found that the surface treating agent manifested the surface treating effect such that the rubber composition has a sufficient hardness and compressive strength with uniform vulcanization, i.e., without any inhibition of the vulcanization. In the rubber composition, the rubber component adheres to the inorganic fibers strongly and the slippage at the interface between the fibrous filler and the rubber matrix is suppressed, the slippage being recognized to cause the deterioration of the physical properties of the rubber composition as described above.

As the cross-linking monomer used in the present invention, unsaturated carboxylic acids, salts thereof and other unsaturated vinyl compounds may be used. Examples of the unsaturated carboxylic acid include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 2-acetoaminoacrylic acid, β,β-dimethacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, α-chloroacrylic acid, cinnamic acid, acotinic acid, 2-ethyl-3-propylacrylic acid, crotonic acid, aminocrotonic acid, acidophoshydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, β-acryloxypropionic acid, 2-butene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, sorbic acid, acetylcarboxylic acid, N-butylmaleamidic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, chloromaleic acid, di-n-butylmaleamidic acid, N,N-dimethylmaleamidic acid, N-ethylmaleamidic acid, N-phenylmaleamidic acid. dichrolomaleic acid, dihydroxymaleic acid, allylarsonic acid, chloroendeic acid, itaconic acid, benzoylacrylic acid and the like. Examples of the other unsaturated vinyl compound include vinyl compound such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl caproate, styrene, vinyltoluene and divinylbenzene; alkyl ester of acrylic acid such as alkyl acrylate and alkyl methacrylate; (meth)acrylic acid derivatives such as (meth)acrylonitrile, meth)acrylamide and glycidyl (meth)acrylate; and triallylisocyanurate. Among those compound mentioned above, it is particularly preferable to select the cross-linking monomer from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, cinnamic acid, acotinic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid and benzoylacrylic acid. Those compounds can be used alone or in any combination thereof.

The metal salts of the unsaturated carboxylic acid mentioned above can be also used as the cross-linking monomer of the present invention. Examples of the metal for those metal salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, strontium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, barium, cadmium, lead, zirconium, beryllium, copper, aluminium, tin, iron, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel and the like, and they can be used alone or in any combination thereof. Metal salt of the metal ion having a valency of at least 2 is particularly preferable since they enhance the cross-linking efficiency. Calcium, zinc, magnesium and zirconium are particularly preferred because of their availability and low toxicity. Those metals may be incorporated into the composition either by using the metal salts of the unsaturated carboxylic acid obtained by the reaction of the metallic compound and the unsaturated carboxylic acid, or by adding the unsaturated carboxylic acid and the metallic compound such as metal oxide, metal hydroxide, metal carbonate and the like separately into the rubber component and reacting them in the mixture system to form metal salts of the unsaturated carboxylic acid. The amount of the cross-linking monomer used in the rubber composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, however, it is preferable to incorporate 0.1 to 50 parts by weight, particularly 1 to 15 parts by weight of the cross-linking agent based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber component to facilitate the control of hardness and bounce impact elasticity of the composition.

Examples of the non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent used in the present invention include metal oxide such as magnesium oxide, lead oxide and zinc oxide; cross-linking resin such as phenol resin, melamine formaldehyde resin, urethane resin polyester resin, polyamide resin and epoxy resin; low molecular weight compound and modified compound of those resins; and organic peroxide such as diacetyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, dicapryl peroxide, di(p-chlorobenzoyl) peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, di(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) peroxide, diisobutyl peroxide, diisononanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dipelargonyl peroxide, dipropynyl peroxide, di(β-carboxypropinoyl) peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, cyclohexanone peroxide, dihydroxy-dimethyl-dioxacyclopentane, t-butyl peroxide, t-butylperoxy(2-ethylhexanoate), t-butylperoxyisobutylate, O,O-t-butyl-O-isopropylmonoperoxycarbonate, t-butylperoxypivalate, dimethyl-di(benzoylperoxy)hexane, t-butylperoxy-(2-ethylbutylate), di-t-butyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, dimethyl-bis(t-butylperoxy)hexane, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, bis(t-butylperoxy)trimethylcyclohexane and n-butyl-bis(t-butylperoxy)valerate and the like. Among those non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent mentioned above, dicumyl peroxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl peroxide, dibutyl peroxide, bis(t-butylperoxy trimethylcyclohexane and n-butyl-bis(t-butylperoxy)valerate are particularly preferred because those vulcanizing agent can proceed the vulcanization uniformly as favored by the relation between the vulcanizing temperature and the half-life. Those non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent can be used alone or in any combination thereof. The amount of the vulcanizing agent used in the rubber composition may be variable depending on the factors such as the type of rubber, the purpose of the rubber composition to be intended to and the like, however, it is usually preferable to use it in an amount of 0.1 to 15 weight % of the rubber component.

The rubber composition of the present invention may be incorporated with various known additives, for example, vulcanization accelerator, vulcanization retarder, antioxidant, plasticizer, peptizer, tackifier, antitack agent, sponging agent, dispersant, dusting agent, mold release agent, solvent, softening agent and the like. Additionally, various inorganic fillers for reinforcing the material and any desired pigment and dye for coloring the composition may be also incorporated in the rubber composition. Examples of the inorganic filler include clayish powders of carbon black, magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, aluminium hydroxide, aluminium oxide, silica powder, titanium dioxide, mica, talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, kaolin and the like. The rubber composition of the present invention may also contain any of organic modifiers conventionally used, and examples of such organic modifier include cumarone-indene resin, phenol resin, polystyrene resin, acrylic resin, polyamide resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, polyolefin resin and the like. Further, the rubber composition of the invention may include long fiber reinforcing material, for example, inorganic fibers such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, metal fibers, quartz fibers and ceramic fibers, and organic fibers such as nylon fibers, vinylon fibers, polyester fibers, aromatic polyamide fibers, polyimide fibers and aromatic polyether amide fibers.

The rubber composition of the invention can be produced by kneading one or more rubber components with the fine inorganic fibers of which surfaces are treated with the surface treating agent, the non-sulfur type vulcanizing agent, and optionally with cross-linking monomers, various additives and auxiliaries by a conventional method. The vulcanization of the rubber composition according to the present invention can be also carried out in a conventional manner, and the vulcanization is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 80° C. to 180° C. for 5 to 60 minutes.

The mixing ratio of the each component is not specifically limited and can varied depending on the kind of the rubber component used in the composition and the purpose for which the composition is intended to be used. As concerns the amount of the surface treated fine inorganic fibers, it is preferable to incorporate 2 to 100 parts by weight, particularly 10 to 50 parts by weight of the surface treated fine inorganic fibers into 100 weight parts of the rubber component. When the content of the fibers is less than the lower limit of the range, it became difficult to obtain a sufficient strength of the composition though it has a sufficient flexibility, and when the content of the fibers exceeds the upper limit of the range, the composition become unsuitable for a practical use because it gets excessive hardness and poor elongation ratio while the strength is enhanced.

The rubber composition according to the present invention can be used for various purposes, for example, industrial materials such as rubber roller, sporting goods such as golf ball, baseball, shoe soles and many applications in other fields such as electronic device industry, telecommunication device industry and chemical industry.

The solid golf ball of the present invention is prepared by molding the rubber composition of the present invention, which has been kneaded and vulcanized as described above, in the shape of a golf ball.

The two-piece golf ball of the present invention can be produced by covering a core of an elastic rubber with a layer of hard elastomer and molding the resultant composite in the shape of a golf ball having desired surface characteristics such as dimples, wherein the core and/or the cover are/is composed of the rubber composition of the present invention.

The three-piece golf ball of the present invention can be produced by covering a core of an elastic rubber with a intermediate layer, molding the intermediate layer, vulcanizing the resultant composite, then covering the intermediate layer with a cover layer, molding the resultant composite in the shape of a golf ball and optionally further vulcanizing the molded golf ball, wherein at least one of the core, the intermediate layer and cover layer is(are) composed of the rubber composition of the present invention. The three-piece golf ball of the present invention can be also produced by a single molding process, that is, by covering the core with the intermediate layer and the cover layer successively, then molding and vulcanizing the resultant composite.

The thread wound golf ball of the present invention can be produced by winding a core of elastic rubber with an elastic thread in a conventional manner, covering the thread wound core with hard elastomer and molding the resultant composite in the shape of a golf ball having desired surface characteristics such as dimples. Any known elastic thread can be employed for the preparation, and the examples of the elastic thread include a therad produced by a known process for the preparation of the rubber thread utilizing a rubber material such as natural rubber (NR), polyisoprene rubber (IR) and a blend material of these rubber materials.

When the elastic rubber or the hard elastomer used in the golf ball of the invention is not composed of the rubber composition of the invention, they may be composed of any of known rubber materials conventionally used. Particularly, ionomer resin and trans-polyisoprene resin, which are also described hereinbefore as a rubber component used in the rubber composition of the invention, can be suitably used as the material for the hard elastomer of the cover layer.

The golf ball according to the present invention may be treated on its surface with a conventional coating agent.

The golf ball cover composition of the present invention can be obtained by mixing the rubber component mentioned hereinbefore and alkali metal titanate fibers mentioned hereinbefore as the fine inorganic fiber material in a conventional kneader. By covering a golf ball core with the golf ball cover composition according to the invention and molding the resultant composite, for example, by means of an injection molding machine, a golf ball having an excellent bounce impact elasticity can be obtained.

As the rubber component of the golf ball cover composition of the present invention, ionomer resin and trans-polyisoprene resin, which are described above, are particularly preferable since they permit a high elasticity and good wear resistance of the composition.

EXAMPLES

Now, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to working examples and comparative experiments hereafter, however, it should be noted that the present invention is not intended to be restricted within those specific examples.

In the attached tables, *1, *2 and *3 denote products of Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd. marketed under product codes of "BR-11", "STEREON 720" and "IR-2200", respectively, *4 denotes a product of Seido Kagaku marketed under a product code of "Zinc White No. 3" and *5 denotes a product of Nippon Silica Co., Ltd. marketed under a trade name of "Nipseal VN 3AQ".

The potassium titanate fine fibers (untreated) were obtained from Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercially available product under a trade name of "Tismo D".

The surface treated fibers A were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide.

The surface treated fibers B were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of γ-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane.

The surface treated fibers C were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of γ-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane.

The surface treated fibers D were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide.

The surface treated fibers E were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane.

The surface treated fibers F were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of bis(mercaptopropyl)tetramethylsiloxane.

The surface treated fibers G were obtained by treating Tismo D with 1% of bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)disulfide.

The surface treated fibers H were obtained by treating silicon carbide whiskers produced by Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. and marketed under a trade name of "Tokawhisker" with 1% of γ-mercaptopropylethoxysilane.

The surface treated fibers I were obtained by treating Tokawhisker with 1% of bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide.

The durability index of a given samples was determined by cyclically exerting a compression enough to produce a deformation of 10 mm on the sample and taking count of the number of compression cycles upto the rupture of the sample, and reported as a relative value based on the durability index of Example 1 taken as 100. The bounce impact elasticity was determined by allowing a given sample to fall from a height of 120 cm in an atmosphere kept at 20° C. and measuring the height to which the sample bounced according to the specification of JIS (Japan Industrial Standard) S 7005. The compression was evaluated as the strength exhibited by a given sample compressed 2.54 mm in diameter.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 18 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 1 TO 7

All of the ingredients, of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 1 in parts by weight and each column corresponds to Each Example or Comparative Experiment (the same shall apply hereafter), excepting a vulcanizing agent were introduced in a kneader and kneaded for 10 minutes at 60° to 100° C., then the resultant mass was cooled to 60° C. to 70° C. and added with the vulcanizing agent to form a rubber composition of the present invention. The composition is kneaded and vulcanized in a test mold for 30 minutes at 150°±5° C. to form a test piece, which was subjected to measurements of the tensile strength and tear strength. The same procedure as described above was repeated for each Example and Comparative Experiment.

The results are also shown in Table 1.

EXAMPLES 19 TO 36 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 8 TO 14

Rubber compositions were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 1 to 18 excepting that the formulating ratios indicated in Table 2 were used, and the properties of the obtained compositions were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 2.

EXAMPLES 37 TO 56 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 15 TO 21

All of the ingredients of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 3 excepting the vulcanizing agent were introduced into a kneader and kneaded for 10 minutes at a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C., then cooled to a temperature of 60° C. to 70° C. and added with the vulcanizing agent. The density of the resultant mass was adjusted to form a golf ball of 45 g in weight and vulcanized in a conventional golf ball mold for 30 minutes at 150°±5° C. to produce a solid golf ball, of which bounce impact elasticity, durability, compression and feeling upon hitting were measured and tested. The same procedure as described above was repeated for each Example and Comparative Experiment.

The results are also shown in Table 3.

EXAMPLES 57 TO 63 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 22 TO 27

Solid golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 37 to 56, excepting that the formulating ratios indicated in Table 4 were used, and the properties of the obtained ball were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 4.

EXAMPLES 64 TO 72 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 28 AND 29

Solid golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 37 to 56, excepting that the formulating ratios indicated in Table 5 were used, and properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 5.

EXAMPLES 73 TO 82 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 30 TO 33

Solid golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 37 to 56, excepting that the formulating ratios indicated in Table 6 were used, and properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 6.

EXAMPLES 83 TO 86 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 34 TO 39

All of the ingredients of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 7 excepting the vulcanizing agent were introduced into a kneader and kneaded for 10 minutes at a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C., then cooled to a temperature of 60° C. to 70° C. and added with the vulcanizing agent. The resultant mass was vulcanized in a metal mold for golf ball core for 30 minutes at 150°±5° C. to produce a golf ball core. Thus obtained core was covered with a composition prepared by mixing 100 parts of ionomer resin and 10 parts f titanium oxide such that the ball weighed 45 g and injection molded by means of a injection molding machine to form a two-piece golf ball. The same procedure as described above was repeated for each Example and Comparative Experiment. The bounce impact elasticity, durability, compression and feeling upon hitting of the obtained golf balls were measured and tested.

The results are also shown in Table 7.

EXAMPLES 87 TO 90

Two-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 83 to 86, excepting that the formulating ratios of the cores indicated in Table 8 were used and that a hard elastomer obtained by mixing 100 parts of ionomer resin and potassium titanate fibers (surface treated fibers A) was used as the cover layer.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested, and the results are also shown in Table 8.

EXAMPLES 91 TO 96

Two-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 83 to 86, excepting that the formulating ratios of the cores indicated in Table 9 were used, and the properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 9.

EXAMPLES 97 TO 100

Two-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 91 to 96, excepting that the formulating ratios of the cores indicated in Table 10 were used and that a hard elastomer obtained by mixing 100 parts of ionomer resin and potassium titanate fibers (surface treated fibers A) was used as the cover layer.

The the properties of the obtained balls were tested, and the results are also shown in Table 10.

EXAMPLES 101 TO 116

Two-piece golf balls were produced by covering the same golf ball cores as Example 92 with the covering compositions of which formulating ratios are shown in Table 11, and the properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 11.

EXAMPLES 117 TO 127

Two-piece golf balls were produced by covering golf ball cores of which formulating ratios are shown in Table 12 with the same cover layers as Examples 103, 107 and 104, which were used for Examples 117 to 119, Examples 120 to 123 and Examples 124 to 127, respectively.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 12.

EXAMPLES 128 TO 136 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 40 TO 41

Three-piece golf balls were produced by utilizing cores of which formulating ratios are shown in Table 13, and an intermediate layer and a cover layer of which formulating ratios are shown below.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested, and the results are also shown in Table 13.

    ______________________________________                                                                Comparative                                                             Examples                                                                              Experiments                                             ______________________________________                                         Intermediate layer:                                                            Rubber (BR)       100      100                                                 Zinc acrylate     15       --                                                  Zinc oxide        10       15                                                  Aerosolizable silica                                                                             10       30                                                  Dicumyl peroxide   5       5                                                   Antioxidant        4       4                                                   Stearic acid       2       2                                                   Surface treated fibers A                                                                         20       --                                                  Cover layer:                                                                   Ionomer resin     100                                                          Titanium dioxide   10                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 137 TO 142 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 42 TO 47

Three-piece golf balls were produced by utilizing cores of which formulating ratios are shown in Table 14, and an intermediate layer and a cover layer of which formulating ratios are shown below.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested, and the results are also shown in Table 14.

    ______________________________________                                                                Comparative                                                             Examples                                                                              Experiments                                             ______________________________________                                         Intermediate layer:                                                            Rubber (BR)       100      100                                                 Zinc acrylate     15       10                                                  Zinc oxide        10       15                                                  Aerosolizable silica                                                                             10       40                                                  Dicumyl peroxide   5        5                                                  Antioxidant        4        5                                                  Stearic acid       2        2                                                  Surface treated fibers A                                                                         20       --                                                  Cover layer:                                                                   Ionomer resin     100                                                          Titanium dioxide   10                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 143 TO 146

Three-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 137 to 142 excepting that the formulating ratios of cores indicated in table 15 were used and that a hard elastomer prepared by mixing 100 parts of ionomer resin with 10 parts of the surface treated fibers A was used as the cover layer.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested, and the results are also shown in Table 15.

COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 48 TO 51

Three-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Comparative Experiments 42 to 47 excepting that the formulating ratios of cores indicated in Table 15 were used, and the properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 15.

EXAMPLES 147 TO 150 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 52 TO 55

Three-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 143 to 146 and Comparative Experiments 48 to 51 excepting that the formulating ratios of cores indicated in Table 16 were used, and the properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 16.

EXAMPLE 151 TO 161

Three-piece golf balls were produced by utilizing the same cores and intemediate layer as used in Example 138, and the cover layers of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 17.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 17.

EXAMPLES 162 TO 172

Three-piece golf balls were produced by utilizing cores of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 18. The same cover layers as Examples 153, 157 and 154 were used for Examples 162 to 164, Examples 165 to 168 and Examples 169 to 172, respectively. The intermediate layers of the compositions A and B indicated below and the same intermediate layer as Example 128 were used for examples 162 to 164, Examples 165 to 167 and Examples 168 to 172, respectively.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 18.

    ______________________________________                                          Intermediate layers: A      B                                                 ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR)           100    100                                               Zinc acrylate         --     20                                                Calcium acrylate      20     --                                                Zinc oxide            10     15                                                Aerosolizable silica  --     15                                                Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                       10     --                                                Dicumyl peroxide       5      5                                                Antioxidant            4      4                                                Stearic acid           2      2                                                Surface treated fibers A                                                                             30     --                                                Surface treated fibers B                                                                             --     30                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 173 TO 178 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 56 TO 61

All of the ingredients indicated in Table 19 except for the vulcanizing agent were introduced into a kneader and kneaded at the temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. for 10 minutes. The contents of the kneader were cooled to 60° C. to 70° C., then added with the vulcanizing agent, adjusted in weight and further kneaded. The resultant mass was vulcanized in a conventional mold for a golf ball core at 150° C.±5° C. for 30 minutes to produce a spherical core. The core thus obtained was wound with an elastic thread, which was a NR-based rubber thread and also used in the following Examples. The resultant thread wound core was covered with a composition obtained by blending 100 parts of ionomer with 10 parts of titanium oxide and injection molded to produce a thread wound golf ball of 45 g in weight. The same procesure was repeated for each Example and Comparative Experiment.

The obtained golf balls were tested for bounce impact elasticity, durability, compression and feeling upon hitting, and the results are also shown in Table 19.

EXAMPLE 179 TO 182

Thread wound golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 173 to 178 excepting that cover layers of hard elastomer obtained by blending 100 parts of ionomer resin with 10 parts of the surface treated fibers A and cores of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 20 were used.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested, and the results are also shown in Table 20.

EXAMPLES 183 TO 188 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 62 TO 67

Thread wound golf balls were produced by repeating the precedure of Examples 173 to 178 excepting that cores of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 21 were used, and the properties of the obtained balls were tested.

The results are also shown in Table 21.

EXAMPLE 189 TO 192

Thread wound golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Example 183 to 188 excepting that cores of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 22 were used and that cover layers of hard elastomer obtained by blending 100 parts of ionomer resin with 10 parts of the surface treated fibers A were used.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 22.

EXAMPLES 193 TO 203

Thread wound golf balls were produced by covering the same thread wound cores as Example 184 with cover layers of which formulating ratios are shown in Table 23.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 23.

EXAMPLES 204 TO 214

Thread wound golf balls were produced by utilizing cores of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 24. The same cover layers as Examples 195, 199 and 196 were used for Examples 204 to 206, Examples 207 to 210 and Examples 211 to 214, respectively.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 24.

EXAMPLES 215 TO 224

In a kneader, 100 parts of rubber (BR *1), 10 parts of zinc acrylate, 15 parts of zinc oxide (*2) and 15 parts of potassium titanate fibers untreated) were blended at 60° C. to 100° C. for 10 minutes. Then, the contents of the kneader were cooled to 60° C. 70° C., mixed with 5 parts of dicumyl peroxide, adjusted in weight, and further kneaded. The resultant mass was vulcanized in a conventional mold for golf ball at 150° C.±5° C. for 30 minutes to produce a golf ball core. The resultant core was covered with a layer of which formulating ratio is indicated in Table 25 to form a two-piece golf ball. The same procedure was repeated for each Example.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results ar also shown in Table 25.

EXAMPLE 225 TO 230

Two-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Examples 215 to 224 excepting that cores of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 26 were used and that a hard elastomer obtained by blending 100 parts of ionomer resin with 10 parts of the surface treated fibers A was used as the cover layers.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are also shown in Table 26.

COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 68 TO 75

Two-piece golf balls were produced by repeating the procedure of Example 215 to 224 excepting that cover layers of which formulating ratios are indicated in Table 27 were used.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are shown in Table 27.

EXAMPLES 231 TO 240 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 76 TO 83

In a kneader, 100 parts of rubber (BR *1), 10 parts of zinc acrylate, 15 parts of zinc oxide (*2). 4 parts of an antioxidant, 2 parts of stearic acid and 15 parts of potassium titanate fibers (untreated) were kneaded at 60° C. to 100° C. for 10 minutes. Then, the contents of the kneader were cooled to 60° C. to 70° C., mixed with 5 parts of dicumyl peroxide, adjusted in weight and furter kneaded. The resultant mass was vulcanized in a conventional mold for golf ball core at 150° C.±5° C. for 30 minutes to form a golf ball core. Three-piece golf ball was produced by utilizing the above-obtained core, intermediate layer of the same composition as the core and cover layer of which formulating ratio is indicated in Table 28 or Table 29. The same procedure was repeated for each Example and Comparative Experiment.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are shown in Table 28 and Table 29.

EXAMPLES 241 TO 250 AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTS 84 TO 91

In a kneader, 100 parts of rubber (BR *1), 10 parts of zinc acrylate, 15 parts of zinc oxide (*2), 10 parts of aerosolizable silica (*3) and 15 parts of potassium titanate fibers (untreated) were kneaded at 60° C. to 100° C. for 10 minutes. Then, the contents of the kneader were cooled to 60° C. to 70° C., mixed with 5 parts of dicumyl peroxide, adjusted in weight and further kneaded. The resultant mass was vulcanized in a conventional mold for golf ball core at 150° C.±5° C. for 30 minutes to form a golf ball core. The core was wound with the elastic thread, then covered with cover layer of which formulating ratio is indicated in Table 30 or Table 31 and injection molded by means of a injection machine to produce a thread wound golf ball of 45 g in weight. The same procedure was repeated for each Example and Comparative Experiment.

The properties of the obtained balls were tested and the results are shown in Table 30 and Table 31.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples         Comparative Experiments                                       1     2  3    4  1     2  3    4  5     6  7                    __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1 100   100                                                                               100  100                                                                               100   100                                                                               100  100                                                                               100   100                                                                               100                  Zinc oxide *4  15    15 15   15 15    15 15   15 15    15 15                   Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       20    20 20   20 50    30 20   20 20    20 20                   Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5     5  5    5  5     5  5    5  5     5 --                   Sulfur         --    -- --   -- --    -- --   -- --    --  5                   Antioxidant     4     4  4    4  4     4  4    4  4     4  4                   Stearic acid    2     2  2    2  2     2  2    2  2     2  2                   Potassium titanate fibers                                                                     --    -- --   -- --    -- 30   10 --    -- --                   (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A              30    10 --   -- --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   B              --    -- 30   10 --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   E              --    -- --   -- --    -- --   -- 30    10 30                   Tensile strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                               198   187                                                                               189  172                                                                               104   98 132  128                                                                               137   131                                                                               138                  Tear strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                                  93    81 85   78 24    21 46   43 60    52 63                   __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples                                                                       5   6  7  8   9  10 11  12  13 14 15  16 17 18                  __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          --  50 -- --  100                                                                               100                                                                               100 100 30 100                                                                               100 100                                                                               100                                                                                100                SBR *2         100 50 50 --  -- -- --  --  70 -- --  -- -- --                  IR *3          --  -- 50 100 -- -- --  --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  Zinc oxide *4  15  10 10 10  15 10 5   10  15 10 15  15 15 15                  Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       25  20 10 10  -- -- --  --  10 -- 10  10 10 10                  Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                --  -- -- --  10 15 10  10  -- 15 --  -- -- --                  Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5   5 -- --   5  5 5   --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  n-Butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                          --  --  5  5  -- -- --  5    5  5  5   5  5  5                  peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant     4   4  4  4   4  4 4   4    4  4  4   4  4  4                  Stearic acid    2   2  2  2   2  2 2   2    2  2  2   2  2  2                  Surface treated fibers                                                         A              20  20 -- --  -- -- 5   --  -- -- 20  25 -- --                  B              --  -- 25 25  -- -- --  5   10 10 --  -- -- --                  C              --  -- -- --  20 -- --  --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  D              --  -- -- --  -- 30 --  --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  H              --  -- -- --  -- -- --  --  -- -- --  -- 20 --                  I              --  -- -- --  -- -- --  --  -- -- --  -- -- 20                  Tensile strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                               164 163                                                                               157                                                                               154 152                                                                               156                                                                               143 141 152                                                                               154                                                                               166 169                                                                               148                                                                               140                 Tear strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                                  74  72 71 68  67 71 59  57  62 63 76  82 54 56                  __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples         Comparative Experiments                                       19    20 21   22 8     9  10   11 12    13 14                   __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1 100   100                                                                               100  100                                                                               100   100                                                                               100  100                                                                               100   100                                                                               100                  Zinc acrylate  10    10 10   10 10    10 10   10 10    10 10                   Zinc oxide *4  10    10 10   10 10    10 10   10 10    10 10                   Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       20    20 20   20 50    30 20   20 20    20 20                   Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               3     3  3    3  3     3  3    3  3     3 --                   Sulfur         --    -- --   -- --    -- --   -- --    --  3                   Antioxidant     2     2  2    2  2     2  2    2  2     2  2                   Stearic acid    2     2  2    2  2     2  2    2   2    2  2                   Potassium titanate fibers                                                                     --    -- --   -- --    -- 30   10 --    -- --                   (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A              30    10 --   -- --    -- --   -- --    -- 30                   B              --    -- 30   10 --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   E              --    -- --   -- --    -- --   -- 30    10 --                   Tensile strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                               211   203                                                                               205  241                                                                               128   121                                                                               138  133                                                                               141   139                                                                               136                  Tear strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                                  94    82 87   80 41    32 43   39 43    40 38                   __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples                                                                       23  24 25 26  27 28 29  30  31 32 33  34 35 36                  __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          --  50 -- --  100                                                                               100                                                                               100 100  30                                                                               100                                                                               100 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                 SBR *2         100 50 50 100 -- -- --  --  70 -- --  -- -- --                  IR *3          --  -- 50 --  -- -- --  --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  Acrylic acid   --  -- -- --  -- -- --  5   10 15 --  -- -- --                  Zinc acrylate  10  -- -- --  15 20 25  --  -- -- 15  15 15 15                  Carcium methacrylate                                                                          --  15 20 20  -- -- --  --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  Zinc oxide *4  15  10 10 10  15 10 5   10  15 10 15  15 15 15                  Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       25  20 10 10  -- -- --  --  10 -- 10  10 15 15                  Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                --  -- -- --  10 15 10  10  -- 15 --  -- -- --                  Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5   5 -- --   5  5 5   --  -- -- --  -- -- --                  n-butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                          --  --  5  5  -- -- --  5    5  5  5   5  5  5                  peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant     4   4  4  4   4  4 4   4    4  4  4   4  4  4                  Stearic acid    2   2  2  2   2  2 2   2    2  2  2   2  2  2                  Surface treated fibers                                                         A              20  20 -- --  -- 30 5   --  -- -- 20  25 -- --                  B              --  -- 25 25  -- -- --  --  10 10 --  -- -- --                  H              --  -- -- --  -- -- --  5   -- -- --  -- 20 --                  I              --  -- -- --  20 -- --  --  -- -- --  -- -- 20                  Tensile strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                               174 172                                                                               168                                                                               165 190                                                                               192                                                                               162 161 176                                                                               178                                                                               189 191                                                                               170                                                                               172                 Tear strength (kgf/cm.sup.2)                                                                  79  83 81 72  87 89 69  58  62 64 87  89 78 81                  __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples         Comparative Experiments                                       37    38 39   40 15    16 17   18 19    20 21                   __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1 100   100                                                                               100  100                                                                               100   100                                                                               100  100                                                                               100   100                                                                               100                  Zinc oxide *4  15    15 15   15 15    15 15   15 15    15 15                   Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                10    10 10   10 50    30 20   20 20    20 20                   Dicumyl peroxide                                                                              --    -- --   --  5     5  5    5  5     5 --                   n-Butyl-bis(t-butylperoxy)                                                                     5     5  5    5 --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   valerate                                                                       Sulfur         --    -- --   -- --    -- --   -- --    --  5                   Antioxidant     4     4  4    4  4     4  4    4  4     4  4                   Stearic acid    2     2  2    2  2     2  2    2  2     2  2                   Potassium titanate fibers                                                                     --    -- --   -- --    -- 30   10 --    -- --                   (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A              20    25 --   -- --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   C              --    -- 20   -- --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   D              --    -- --   30 --    -- --   -- --    -- --                   E              --    -- --   -- --    -- --   -- 30    10 30                   Durability index                                                                              100   100                                                                               101  101                                                                               30    34 38   37 39    37 34                   Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      78    82 81   82 62    64 68   65 65    63 64                   Compression    76    78 76   78 63    60 59   58 57    58 58                   Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E     E  E    E  B     B  B    B  B     B  B                    __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples                                                                       41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56                 __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- 50 -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               30 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                SBR *2         -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               50 50 100                                                                               -- -- -- -- 70 -- -- --                 IR *3          -- -- -- -- -- -- 50 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                 Zinc oxide *4  15 15 15 15 15 10 10 10 15 10  5 10 15 10 15 15                 Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       20 20 20 20 25 20 10 10 -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- --                 Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 15 10 10 -- 15 -- --                 Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5  5  5  5  5  5 -- --  5  5  5 -- -- --  5  5                 n-Butyl-bis(t-butylperoxy)                                                                    -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5 -- -- --  5  5  5 -- --                 valerate                                                                       Antioxidant     4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                 Stearic acid    2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                 Surface treated fibers                                                         A              30 10 -- -- 20 20 -- -- -- 30  5 -- -- -- -- --                 B              -- -- 30 10 -- -- 25 25 -- -- -- -- 10 10 -- --                 D              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 -- --  5 -- -- -- --                 F                 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 --                 G              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20                 Durability index                                                                              106                                                                               102                                                                               104                                                                               100                                                                               101                                                                               102                                                                               100                                                                               49 50 50 49 50 50 50 122                                                                               120                Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      82 80 81 78 78 80 76 74 80 82 76 72 74 73 95 90                 Compression    81 72 81 71 78 79 75 76 78 79 73 73 74 74 95 93                 Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                  __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples             Comparative Experiments                                   57 58 59 60 61 62 63 22 23 24 25                                                                               26 27                           __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          100                                                                               80 60 40 20 -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               40                                                                               -- --                           SBR *2         -- 20 40 60 80 100                                                                               -- -- -- -- 60                                                                               -- --                           IR *3          -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               -- -- -- --                                                                               100                                                                               100                          Zinc acrylate   8  8  8  8 10 10 10  8  8  8 10                                                                               10 10                           Zinc oxide *4  15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15                                                                               15 15                           Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       20 20 20 20 20 20 20 50 20 20 20                                                                               20 20                           Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                                                                                 5                                                                                5                           Antioxidant     4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                                                                4  4                           Stearic acid    2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                                                                2  2                           Potassium titanate fibers                                                                     -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30 -- 30                                                                               30 30                           (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A              30 30 30 30 30 30 30 -- -- -- --                                                                               -- --                           E              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30 --                                                                               -- --                           Durability index                                                                              106                                                                               111                                                                               115                                                                               119                                                                               120                                                                               122                                                                               118                                                                               36 39 31 39                                                                               39 39                           Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      98 93 91 90 86 84 89 72 80 65 62                                                                               63 63                           Compression    97 95 94 93 93 96 93 81 81 57 59                                                                               60 60                           Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E  E  E  E  E  E  E  B  B  B  B B  B                            __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                            Comparative                                         Examples                   Experiments                                         64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 28 29                                   __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                  Zinc acrylate                                                                               1 10 15 20 25 30 50  8  8 -- 100                                  Zinc oxide *4                                                                              10 10 10 10 10 10 10 15 15 10 10                                   Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                    15 15 15 15 15 15 15 -- -- 15 15                                   Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                                   Antioxidant  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                   Stearic acid                                                                                2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                   Surface treated fibers                                                         A           20 20 20 20 20 20 20 -- -- 20 20                                   F           -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 -- -- --                                   G           -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 -- --                                   Durability index                                                                           102                                                                               105                                                                               103                                                                               104                                                                               101                                                                               99 94 123                                                                               124                                                                               38 37                                   Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   95 96 95 92 89 87 86 93 91 81 67                                   Compression 88 90 91 93 96 101                                                                               112                                                                               93 94 80 57                                   Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  B                                    __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                  Comparative                                      Examples                      Experiments                                      73 74 75  76                                                                               77 78 79 80 81 82 30 31 32 33                       __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          100                                                                               50 -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               30 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- --                       SBR *2         -- 50 50 100                                                                               -- -- -- -- 70 -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                      IR *3          -- -- 50 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                       Acrylic acid   -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5 10 15 -- -- -- --                       Zinc acrylate  10 -- -- -- 15 20 25 -- -- -- 10 -- -- 10                       Carcium methacrylate                                                                          -- 15 20 20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                       Zinc oxide *4  15 10 10 10 15 10  5 10 15 10 15 15 15 15                       Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       25 20 10 10 -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- --                       Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                -- -- -- -- 10 15 10 10 -- 15 25 40 30 25                       Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5  5 -- --  5  5  5 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                       n-Butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                          -- --  5  5 -- -- --  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                       peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant     4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                       Stearic acid    2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                       Potassium titanate fibers                                                                     -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 -- -- 20                       (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A              20 20 -- -- 20 30  5 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                       B              -- -- 25 25 -- -- --  5 -- -- -- -- -- --                       C              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- --                       D              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- --                       Durability index                                                                              103                                                                               111                                                                               112                                                                               120                                                                               123                                                                               127                                                                               110                                                                               97 97 98 39 38 41 37                       Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      95 93 90 88 94 94 87 89 90 88 81 80 78 72                       Compression    96 95 94 91 93 92 86 88 92 86 79 81 78 71                       Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  B  B  B  B                        __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                Examples    Comparative Experiments                                            83 84 85 86 34 35 36 37 38 39                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                     Zinc oxide *4                                                                              15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15                                      Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                    10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 30                                      Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                                      Antioxidant  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                      Stearic acid                                                                                2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                      Potassium titanate fibers                                                                  -- -- -- -- 10 15 20 25 -- --                                      (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A           10 15 20 25 -- -- -- -- -- --                                      E           -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 --                                      Durability index                                                                           110                                                                               125                                                                               129                                                                               134                                                                               46 47 47 48 47 45                                      Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   99 101                                                                               101                                                                               103                                                                               86 87 87 86 91 84                                      Compression 107                                                                               109                                                                               112                                                                               116                                                                               93 94 93 95 92 89                                      Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E  E  E  E  B  B  B  B  B  B                                       __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                   Examples                                                                       87   88       89     90                                         ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR) *1   100    100      100  100                                      Zinc oxide *4    15     15       15   15                                       Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                         10     10       10   10                                       Dicumyl peroxide  5      5        5    5                                       Antioxidant       4      4        4    4                                       Stearic acid      2      2        2    2                                       Surface treated fibers A                                                                        10     15       20   25                                       Durability index 118    131      134  138                                      Bounce impact elasticity                                                                        101    103      103  106                                      Compression      108    111      111  119                                      Feeling upon hitting**                                                                          E      E        E    E                                        ______________________________________                                          **E: Excellent                                                           

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                 Examples                                                                       91   92     93     94   95   96                                   ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR) *1 100    100    100  100  100  100                                Zinc acrylate  10     10     10   10   10    8                                 Zinc oxide *4  15     15     15   15   10   10                                 Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       10     10     10   10   --   --                                 Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5      5      5    5    5   --                                 n-Butyl-bis(t-butylperoxy)-                                                                   --     --     --   --   --    5                                 valerate                                                                       Antioxidant     4      4      4    4    4    4                                 Stearic acid    2      2      2    2    2    2                                 Surface treated fibers                                                         A              10     15     20   25   --   --                                 F              --     --     --   --   30   --                                 G              --     --     --   --   --   30                                 Durability index                                                                              122    138    142  146  136  133                                Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      105    106    106  107  105  104                                Compression    120    121    123  123  123  121                                Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E      E      E    E    E    E                                  ______________________________________                                          **E: Excellent                                                           

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                   Examples                                                                       97   98       99     100                                        ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR) *1   100    100      100  100                                      Zinc acrylate    10     10       10   10                                       Zinc oxide *4    15     15       15   15                                       Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                         10     10       10   10                                       Dicumyl peroxide  5      5        5    5                                       Antioxidant       4      4        4    4                                       Stearic acid      2      2        2    2                                       Surface treated fibers A                                                                        10     15       20   25                                       Durability index 127    142      148  151                                      Bounce impact elasticity                                                                        106    108      108  109                                      Compression      122    123      124  126                                      Feeling upon hitting**                                                                          E      E        E    E                                        ______________________________________                                          **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 11                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                           Examples                                                                       101                                                                               102                                                                               103                                                                               104                                                                               105                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               108                                                                               109                                                                               110                                                                               111                                                                               112                                                                               113                                                                               114                                                                               115                                                                               116                 __________________________________________________________________________     Ionomer resin 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  Trans-polyisoprene resin                                                                     -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  Rubber (BR) *1                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                 Zinc oxide *4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 10 10 10 10 10 10                  Sulfur        -- -- -- -- --  1  1  1  1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  Vulcanization accelerator                                                                    -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  Zinc acrylate -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  9  9  9  8  8  8                  Carcium methacrylate                                                                         -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  8 -- -- -- -- -- --                  Dicumyl peroxide                                                                             -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                  Antioxidant   -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                  Stearic acid  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                  Titanium dioxide                                                                              20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  Potassium titanate fibers                                                                    --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A             -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 -- -- -- -- -- --                  B             -- -- --  30                                                                               --  10                                                                               -- -- -- -- 20 -- -- -- -- --                  C             -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- 30 -- -- -- --                  D             -- -- -- -- -- -- --  30                                                                               -- -- -- -- 20 -- -- --                  E             -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- 20 -- --                  F             -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30 --                  G             -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20                  Durability index                                                                             140                                                                               142                                                                               150                                                                               148                                                                               128                                                                               114                                                                               118                                                                               126                                                                               112                                                                               136                                                                               132                                                                               131                                                                               128                                                                               129                                                                               130                                                                               131                 Bounce impact elasticity                                                                     105                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               106                                                                                99                                                                               101                                                                               101                                                                               102                                                                               108                                                                               107                                                                               104                                                                               103                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               105                 Compression   122                                                                               123                                                                               124                                                                               124                                                                               122                                                                               107                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               109                                                                               122                                                                               124                                                                               121                                                                               122                                                                               126                                                                               127                                                                               121                 Feeling upon hitting**                                                                       E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                   __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 12                                     __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples                                                                       117                                                                               118                                                                               119                                                                               120                                                                               121                                                                               122                                                                               123                                                                               124                                                                               125                                                                               126                                                                               127                               __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          100                                                                               100                                                                                30                                                                               -- --  10                                                                               100                                                                                50                                                                                10                                                                                20                                                                               --                                SBR *2         -- --  70                                                                               100                                                                               --  90                                                                               --  50                                                                                90                                                                                80                                                                                50                               IR *3          -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               -- -- -- -- --  50                               Acrylic acid   -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                Zinc acrylate   20                                                                                25                                                                                10                                                                               -- --  10                                                                               -- -- -- -- --                                Carcium methacrylate                                                                          -- -- -- --  25                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                                Zinc oxide *4   10                                                                                5  15                                                                                10                                                                                5  15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                20                               Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       -- --  10                                                                                15                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                               -- -- -- --                                Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                 15                                                                                10                                                                               -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                15                               Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5  5 --  5  5  5 --  5  5  5  5                                n-Butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                          -- --  5 -- -- --  5 -- -- -- --                                peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant     4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                Stearic acid    2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                Surface treated fibers                                                         A               30                                                                               -- -- -- --  25                                                                               -- --  20                                                                               --  20                               B              --  5 -- --   15                                                                              --  20                                                                               -- --  20                                                                               --                                C              -- --  10                                                                               -- -- -- --  25                                                                               -- -- --                                D              -- -- --  15                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                Durability index                                                                              158                                                                               142                                                                               144                                                                               121                                                                               128                                                                               136                                                                               132                                                                               148                                                                               149                                                                               148                                                                               149                               Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      108                                                                               102                                                                               101                                                                                94                                                                                90                                                                                96                                                                               102                                                                               101                                                                               102                                                                               100                                                                               103                               Compression    128                                                                               109                                                                               106                                                                               102                                                                               101                                                                               103                                                                               106                                                                               118                                                                               121                                                                               121                                                                               122                               Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                 __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 13                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                                           Comparative                                         Examples                   Experiments                                         128                                                                               129                                                                               130                                                                               131                                                                               132                                                                               133                                                                               134                                                                               135                                                                               136                                                                               40 41                                   __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                  Zinc oxide *4                                                                               15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                  Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                     10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                30                                                                                15                                                                                15                                  Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                                   Antioxidant  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                   Stearic acid                                                                                2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                   Potassium titanate fibers                                                                  -- -- -- --  10                                                                                15                                                                                20                                                                               -- --  20                                                                               --                                   (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A            10                                                                                15                                                                                20                                                                                25                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                   E           -- -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- --  20                                  Durability index                                                                           110                                                                               123                                                                               128                                                                               132                                                                                91                                                                                93                                                                                95                                                                                90                                                                                88                                                                                48                                                                                49                                  Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   102                                                                               103                                                                               103                                                                               104                                                                               103                                                                               104                                                                               104                                                                               103                                                                                99                                                                                97                                                                                98                                  Compression 107                                                                               108                                                                               109                                                                               109                                                                               101                                                                               102                                                                               102                                                                                98                                                                                99                                                                                88                                                                                90                                  Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  B  B                                    __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 14                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                Examples          Comparative Experiments                                      137                                                                               138                                                                               139                                                                               140                                                                               141                                                                               142                                                                               42 43 44 45 46 47                                __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                               Acrylic acid                                                                               -- -- -- --  8  8 -- -- -- -- -- --                                Zinc acrylate                                                                               10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                               -- -- 10 10 10 10 10 10                                Zinc oxide *4                                                                               15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                               15 15 15 15 15 15                                Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                     10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                                10                                                                               -- -- 10 10 10 10 10 30                                Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5  5  5  5 -- --  5  5  5  5  5  5                                n-Butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                       -- -- -- --  5  5 -- -- -- -- -- --                                peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                Stearic acid                                                                                2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                Potassium titanate fibers                                                                  -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 15 20 25 -- --                                (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A            10                                                                                15                                                                                20                                                                                25                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                E           -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 --                                F           -- -- -- --  30                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                G           -- -- -- -- --  30                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                                Durability index                                                                           123                                                                               140                                                                               144                                                                               148                                                                               136                                                                               133                                                                               52 52 52 53 52 49                                Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   105                                                                               107                                                                               107                                                                               108                                                                               104                                                                               103                                                                               92 92 93 94 92 86                                Compression 121                                                                               123                                                                               125                                                                               125                                                                               111                                                                               115                                                                               110                                                                               113                                                                               113                                                                               114                                                                               108                                                                               106                               Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E  E  E  E  E  E  B  B  B  B  B  B                                 __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 15                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                              Comparative                                                      Examples      Experiments                                                      143 144                                                                               145 146                                                                               48  49 50  51                                        __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100 100                                                                               100 100                                                                               100 100                                                                               100 100                                       Zinc acrylate                                                                               10  10                                                                                10  10                                                                               10  10 10  10                                        Zinc oxide *4                                                                               15  15                                                                                15  15                                                                               15  15 15  15                                        Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                     10  10                                                                                10  10                                                                               20  25 30  35                                        Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5   5  5   5  5   5  5   5                                        Antioxidant  4   4  4   4  4   4  4   4                                        Stearic acid                                                                                2   2  2   2  2   2  2   2                                        Surface treated fibers A                                                                    10  15                                                                                20  25                                                                               --  -- --  --                                        Durability index                                                                           124 134                                                                               141 145                                                                               50  50 50  51                                        Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   103 104                                                                               105 105                                                                               82  83 82  82                                        Compression 109 110                                                                               111 112                                                                               110 112                                                                               111 112                                       Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E   E  E   E  B   B  B   B                                         __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 16                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                              Comparative                                                          Examples  Experiments                                                      147 148                                                                               149 150                                                                               52  53 54  55                                        __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100 100                                                                               100 100                                                                               100 100                                                                               100 100                                       Zinc oxide *4                                                                               15  15                                                                                15  15                                                                               15  15 15  15                                        Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                     10  10                                                                                10  10                                                                               20  25 30  35                                        Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5   5  5   5  5   5  5   5                                        Antioxidant  4   4  4   4  4   4  4   4                                        Stearic acid                                                                                2   2  2   2  2   2  2   2                                        Surface treated fibers A                                                                    10  15                                                                                20  25                                                                               --  -- --  --                                        Durability index                                                                           117 130                                                                               134 138                                                                               51  51 51  52                                        Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   103 103                                                                               104 105                                                                               85  86 85  86                                        Compression 108 109                                                                               110 110                                                                               111 109                                                                               112 112                                       Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E   E  E   E  B   B  B   B                                         __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                                      TABLE 17                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                          Examples                                                                       151                                                                               152                                                                               153                                                                               154                                                                               155                                                                               156                                                                               157                                                                               158                                                                               159                                                                               160                                                                               161                                 __________________________________________________________________________     Ionomer resin                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                                  Trans-polyisoprene resin                                                                    -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- --                                  Rubber (BR) *1                                                                              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                 Zinc oxide *4                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                                10                                 Zinc acrylate                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                               --                                  Sulfur       -- -- -- -- --  1  1  1  1 -- --                                  Vulcanization accelerator                                                                   -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                               -- --                                  Titanium dioxide                                                                             20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                  Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5                                  Antioxidant  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  4  5                                  Stearic acid -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  2  2                                  Potassium titanate fibers                                                                   --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                  (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A            -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                  B            -- -- --  30                                                                               --  10                                                                               -- -- -- -- --                                  C            -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- --  20                                                                               --                                  D            -- -- -- -- -- -- --  30                                                                               -- --  30                                 E            -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- --  20                                                                               -- --                                  Durability index                                                                            138                                                                               142                                                                               151                                                                               149                                                                               129                                                                               121                                                                               123                                                                               128                                                                               112                                                                               121                                                                               122                                 Bounce impact elasticity                                                                    106                                                                               109                                                                               110                                                                               107                                                                               104                                                                               107                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               103                                                                               108                                                                               108                                 Compression  122                                                                               122                                                                               124                                                                               125                                                                               122                                                                               107                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               106                                                                               121                                                                               122                                 Feeling upon hitting**                                                                      E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                   __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 18                                     __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples                                                                       162                                                                               163 164                                                                               165                                                                               166                                                                               167                                                                               168                                                                               169                                                                               170                                                                               171                                                                               172                              __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          100                                                                               100 30 -- -- 10 100                                                                               50 10 20 --                               SBR *2         -- --  70 100                                                                               -- 90 -- 50 90 80 50                               IR *3          -- --  -- -- 100                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- 50                               Acrylic acid   -- --  -- 20 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                               Zinc acrylate   20                                                                               25  10 -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- --                               Carcium methacrylate                                                                          -- --  -- -- 25 -- -- -- -- -- --                               Zinc oxide *4   10                                                                               5   15 10  5 15  15                                                                               15 15 15 20                               Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       -- --  10 15 10 10  10                                                                               -- -- -- --                               Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                 15                                                                               10  -- -- -- -- -- 10 10 10 15                               Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5 5   --  5  5  5 --  5  5  5  5                               n-Butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                          -- --   5 -- -- --  5 -- -- -- --                               peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant     4 4    4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                               Stearic acid    2 2    2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                               Surface treated fibers                                                         A               15                                                                               --  -- -- -- 25 -- -- 20 -- 20                               B              -- 5   -- -- 15 --  20                                                                               -- -- 20 --                               C              -- --  10 -- -- -- -- 25 -- -- --                               D              -- --  -- 15 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                               Durability index                                                                              157                                                                               144 146                                                                               122                                                                               127                                                                               134                                                                               130                                                                               147                                                                               150                                                                               150                                                                               148                              Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      108                                                                               103 102                                                                               96 98 106                                                                               102                                                                               102                                                                               109                                                                               110                                                                               109                              Compression    127                                                                               107 109                                                                               107                                                                               109                                                                               104                                                                               110                                                                               117                                                                               120                                                                               120                                                                               121                              Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E  E   E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 19                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Spherical Cores                                                      Examples          Comparative Experiments                                      173                                                                               174                                                                               175                                                                               176                                                                               177                                                                               178                                                                               56 57 58 59 60 61                                __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                               Zinc oxide *4                                                                              15 15 15 15  15                                                                                15                                                                               15 15 15 15 15 15                                Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                    10 10 10 10 -- -- 10 10 10 10 10 30                                Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                                Antioxidant  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                                Stearic acid                                                                                2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                                Potassium titanate fibers                                                                  -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 15 20 25 -- --                                (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A           10 15 20 25 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                E           -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 --                                F           -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                G           -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                                Durability index                                                                           105                                                                               118                                                                               119                                                                               121                                                                               123                                                                               124                                                                               50 50 51 51 49 48                                Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   89 89 90 91  91                                                                                90                                                                               81 82 82 83 80 80                                Compression 101                                                                               101                                                                               102                                                                               104                                                                               100                                                                               101                                                                               72 73 73 74 73 72                                Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E  E  E  E  E  E  B  B  B  B  B  B                                 __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                  TABLE 20                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                   Examples                                                                       179  180      181    182                                        ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR) *1   100    100      100  100                                      Zinc oxide *4    15     15       15   15                                       Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                         10     10       10   10                                       Dicumyl peroxide  5      5        5    5                                       Antioxidant       4      4        4    4                                       Stearic acid      2      2        2    2                                       Surface treated fibers A                                                                        10     15       20   25                                       Durability index 115    117      119  120                                      Bounce impact elasticity                                                                        92     93       93   94                                       Compression      103    104      104  105                                      Feeling upon hitting**                                                                          E      E        E    E                                        ______________________________________                                          **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 21                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Spherical Cores                                                      Examples            Comparative Experiments                                    183                                                                               184                                                                               185                                                                               186                                                                               187 188 62 63 64 65 66 67                              __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                             100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100 100 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                             Zinc acrylate                                                                              10 10 10 10 8   8   10 10 10 10 10 10                              Zinc oxide *4                                                                              15 15 15 15 15  15  15 15 15 15 15 15                              Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                    10 10 10 10 --  --  10 10 10 10 10 30                              Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            5  5  5  5 5   5    5  5  5  5  5  5                              Antioxidant  4  4  4  4 4   4    4  4  4  4  4  4                              Stearic acid                                                                                2  2  2  2 2   2    2  2  2  2  2   2                             Potassium titanate fibers                                                                  -- -- -- -- --  --  10 15 20 25 -- --                              (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A           10 15 20 25 --  --  -- -- -- -- -- --                              E           -- -- -- -- --  --  -- -- -- -- 20 --                              F           -- -- -- -- 20  --  -- -- -- -- -- --                              G           -- -- -- -- --  20  -- -- -- -- -- --                              Durability index                                                                           117                                                                               119                                                                               121                                                                               122                                                                               124 123 54 54 54 54 53 50                              Bounce impact elasticity                                                                   93 94 94 95 94  94  82 82 83 84 82 81                              Compression 104                                                                               105                                                                               106                                                                               106                                                                               105 104 81 82 82 83 83 79                              Feeling upon hitting**                                                                     E  E  E  E  E   E   B  B  B  B  B  B                               __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent, B: Bad                                                   

                  TABLE 22                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Spherical Cores                                                         Examples                                                                       189  190      191    192                                        ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR) *1   100    100      100  100                                      Zinc acrylate     10     10       10   10                                      Zinc oxide *4     15     15       15   15                                      Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                          10     10       10   10                                      Dicumyl peroxide  5      5        5    5                                       Antioxidant       4      4        4    4                                       Stearic acid      2      2        2    2                                       Surface treated fibers A                                                                         10     15       20   25                                      Durability index 126    127      129  131                                      Bounce impace elasticity                                                                        101    102      103  106                                      Compression      104    106      106  108                                      Feeling upon hitting**                                                                          E      E        E    E                                        ______________________________________                                          **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 23                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                          Examples                                                                       193                                                                               194                                                                               195                                                                               196                                                                               197                                                                               198                                                                               199                                                                               200                                                                               201                                                                               202                                                                               203                                 __________________________________________________________________________     Ionomer resin                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                                  Trans-polyisoprene resin                                                                    -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- --                                  Rubber (BR) *1                                                                              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                 Zinc oxide *4                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                 Zinc acrylate                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  8  8                                  Sulfur       -- -- -- -- --  1  1  1  1 -- --                                  Vulcanization accelerator                                                                   -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                                                                 15                                                                               15                                                                               -- --                                  Titanium dioxide                                                                            20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                  Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5                                  Antioxidant  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  4  4                                  Stearic acid -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  2  2                                  Potassium titanate fibers                                                                   --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                  (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers                                                         A            -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               --                                  B            -- -- --  30                                                                               --  10                                                                               -- -- -- --  20                                 C            -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- --                                  D            -- -- -- -- -- -- --  30                                                                               -- -- --                                  E            -- -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- --  20                                                                               -- --                                  Durability index                                                                            109                                                                               111                                                                               132                                                                               131                                                                               115                                                                               117                                                                               119                                                                               122                                                                               107                                                                               126                                                                               124                                 Bounce impact elasticity                                                                    84  86                                                                               106                                                                               106                                                                               104                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               107                                                                               102                                                                               103                                                                               107                                 Compression  84 101                                                                               102                                                                               101                                                                               100                                                                               107                                                                               105                                                                               106                                                                               106                                                                               101                                                                               103                                 Feeling upon hitting**                                                                      E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                   __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 24                                     __________________________________________________________________________                    Examples                                                                       204                                                                               205 206                                                                               207                                                                               208                                                                               209                                                                               210                                                                               211                                                                               212                                                                               213                                                                               214                              __________________________________________________________________________     Rubber                                                                         BR *1          100                                                                               100 30 -- -- 10 100                                                                               50 10 20 --                               SBR *2         -- --  70 100                                                                               -- 90 -- 50 90 80 50                               IR *3          -- --  -- -- 100                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- 50                               Acrylic acid   -- --  --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                               Zinc acrylate   20                                                                               25  10 -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- --                               Carcium methacrylate                                                                          -- --  -- --  25                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                               Zinc oxide *4   10                                                                               5   15  10                                                                                5 15  15                                                                               15 15 15 20                               Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       -- --  10  15                                                                                10                                                                               10  10                                                                               -- -- -- --                               Aerosolizable titanium dioxide                                                                 15                                                                               10  -- -- -- -- -- 10 10 10 15                               Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5 5   --  5  5  5 --  5  5  5  5                               n-Butyl-bis(t-butyl-                                                                          -- --   5 -- -- --  5 -- -- -- --                               peroxy)valerate                                                                Antioxidant     4 4    4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4                               Stearic acid    2 2    2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2                               Surface treated fibers                                                         A               30                                                                               --  -- -- -- 25 -- -- 20 -- 20                               B              -- 5   -- --  15                                                                               --  20                                                                               -- -- 20 --                               C              -- --  10 -- -- -- -- 25 -- -- --                               D              -- --  --  15                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- --                               Durability index                                                                              135                                                                               124 126                                                                               120                                                                               123                                                                               128                                                                               126                                                                               141                                                                               146                                                                               144                                                                               144                              Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      106                                                                               99  101                                                                               107                                                                               107                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               107                                                                               107                                                                               105                              Compression    102                                                                               101 102                                                                               106                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               107                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               107                                                                               109                              Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        E  E   E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                                      TABLE 25                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                          Examples                                                                       215                                                                               216                                                                               217                                                                               218                                                                               219                                                                               220                                                                               221                                                                               222                                                                               223                                                                               224                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Ionomer resin                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- --                                     Trans-polyisoprene resin                                                                    -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- --                                     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                    Zinc oxide *4                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                                10                                    Zinc acrylate                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  9  9                                     Sulfur       -- -- -- -- --  1  1  1 -- --                                     Vulcanization accelerator                                                                   -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                               -- --                                     Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5                                     Antioxidant  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  4  4                                     Stearic acid -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  2  2                                     Surface treated fibers                                                         A             20                                                                               -- -- --  30                                                                               -- --  10                                                                               -- --                                     B            --  20                                                                               -- -- -- --  10                                                                               -- -- --                                     C            -- --  20                                                                               -- --  10                                                                               -- --  20                                                                               --                                     D            -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- --  20                                    Durability index                                                                            103                                                                               104                                                                               105                                                                               106                                                                               108                                                                               104                                                                               107                                                                               110                                                                               106                                                                               108                                    Bounce impact elasticity                                                                    115                                                                               116                                                                               117                                                                               118                                                                               117                                                                               116                                                                               118                                                                               119                                                                               100                                                                               101                                    Compression  123                                                                               124                                                                               128                                                                               126                                                                               122                                                                               120                                                                               122                                                                               124                                                                               121                                                                               119                                    Feeling upon hitting**                                                                      E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                      __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                  TABLE 26                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cores                                                                   Examples                                                                     225  226    227    228  229  230                                  ______________________________________                                         Rubber (BR) *1 100    100    100  100  100  100                                Zinc acrylate  10     10     10   10   10   10                                 Zinc oxide *4  15     15     15   15   15   15                                 Aerosolizable silica *5                                                                       10     10     10   10   10   30                                 Dicumyl peroxide                                                                               5      5      5    5    5    5                                 Antioxidant     4      4      4    4    4    4                                 Stearic acid    2      2      2    2    2    2                                 Potassium titanate fibers                                                                     10     15     20   25   --   --                                 (untreated)                                                                    Surface treated fibers E                                                                      --     --     --   --   20   --                                 Durability index                                                                              99     99     98   98   96   97                                 Bounce impact elasticity                                                                      97     98     101  101  98   99                                 Compression    111    108    109  108  108  106                                Feeling upon hitting**                                                                        G      G      G    G    G    G                                  ______________________________________                                          **G: Good                                                                

                  TABLE 27                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                    Comparative Experiments                                                        68   69     70     71   72   73   74   75                               ______________________________________                                         Ionomer resin                                                                           100    100    100  100  100  --   --   --                             Trans-poly-                                                                             --     --     --   --   --   100  100  100                            isoprene resin                                                                 Sulfur   --     --     --   --   --    1    1    1                             Vulcanization                                                                           --     --     --   --   --   15   15   15                             accelerator                                                                    Titanium 20     --     30   --   --   30   --   10                             dioxide                                                                        Potassium                                                                               --     20     --   30   --   --   30   --                             titanate fibers                                                                (untreated)                                                                    Surface  --     --     --   --   30   --   --   --                             treated fibers                                                                 Durability                                                                              93     95     94   96   97   85   87   81                             index                                                                          Bounce   90     92     96   94   95   90   91   88                             impact                                                                         elasticity                                                                     Compression                                                                             108    110    112  111  111  108  107  105                            Feeling upon                                                                            B      B      B    B    B    B    B    B                              hitting**                                                                      ______________________________________                                          **B: Bad                                                                 

                                      TABLE 28                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                          Examples                                                                       231                                                                               232                                                                               233                                                                               234                                                                               235                                                                               236                                                                               237                                                                               238                                                                               239                                                                               240                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Ionomer resin                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- --                                     Trans-polyisoprene resin                                                                    -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- --                                     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                    Zinc oxide *4                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                                10                                    Zinc acrylate                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  9  9                                     Sulfur       -- -- -- -- --  1  1  1 -- --                                     Vulcanization accelerator                                                                   -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                               -- --                                     Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5                                     Antioxidant  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  4  4                                     Stearic acid -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  2  2                                     Surface treated fibers                                                         A             20                                                                               -- -- --  30                                                                               -- --  10                                                                               -- --                                     B            --  20                                                                               -- -- -- --  10                                                                               -- -- --                                     C            -- --  20                                                                               -- --  10                                                                               -- -- -- --                                     D            -- -- --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- --                                     E            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                                                               --                                     F            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  20                                    Durability index                                                                            107                                                                               105                                                                               106                                                                               107                                                                               107                                                                               104                                                                               106                                                                               105                                                                               106                                                                               107                                    Bounce impact elasticity                                                                    117                                                                               116                                                                               116                                                                               116                                                                               115                                                                               110                                                                               108                                                                               109                                                                               109                                                                               108                                    Compression  124                                                                               122                                                                               123                                                                               123                                                                               122                                                                               121                                                                               122                                                                               123                                                                               121                                                                               120                                    Feeling upon hitting**                                                                      E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                      __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                  TABLE 29                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                    Comparative Experiments                                                        76   77     78     79   80   81   82   83                               ______________________________________                                         Ionomer resin                                                                           100    100    100  100  100  --   --   --                             Trans-poly-                                                                             --     --     --   --   --   100  100  100                            isoprene resin                                                                 Sulfur   --     --     --   --   --    1    1    1                             Vulcanization                                                                           --     --     --   --   --   15   15   15                             accelerator                                                                    Titanium 20     --     30   --   --   30   --   20                             dioxide                                                                        Potassium                                                                               --     20     --   30   --   --   30   --                             titanate fibers                                                                (untreated)                                                                    Surface  --     --     --   --   30   --   --   --                             treated fibers                                                                 Durability                                                                              94     96     95   97   95   85   88   83                             index                                                                          Bounce   89     91     90   92   91   90   92   90                             impact                                                                         elasticity                                                                     Compression                                                                             109    111    113  113  112  108  107  103                            Feeling upon                                                                            B      B      B    B    B    B    B    B                              hitting**                                                                      ______________________________________                                          **B: Bad                                                                 

                                      TABLE 30                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                          Examples                                                                       241                                                                               242                                                                               243                                                                               244                                                                               245                                                                               246                                                                               247                                                                               248                                                                               249                                                                               250                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Ionomer resin                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- -- -- -- --                                     Trans-polyisoprene resin                                                                    -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                                                               100                                                                               -- --                                     Rubber (BR) *1                                                                              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100                                                                               100                                    Zinc oxide *4                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                                10                                    Zinc acrylate                                                                               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  9  9                                     Sulfur       -- -- -- -- --  1  1  1 -- --                                     Vulcanization accelerator                                                                   -- -- -- -- --  15                                                                                15                                                                                15                                                                               -- --                                     Dicumyl peroxide                                                                            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  5  5                                     Antioxidant  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  4  4                                     Stearic acid -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  2  2                                     Surface treated fibers                                                         A             20                                                                               -- -- --  30                                                                               -- -- --  20                                                                               --                                     B            --  20                                                                               -- -- -- -- --  10                                                                               --  20                                    C            -- --  20                                                                               -- -- --  10                                                                               -- -- --                                     D            -- -- --  20                                                                               --  10                                                                               -- -- -- --                                     Durability index                                                                            103                                                                               101                                                                               101                                                                               102                                                                               108                                                                               102                                                                               101                                                                               100                                                                               105                                                                               106                                    Bounce impact elasticity                                                                    109                                                                               108                                                                               108                                                                               109                                                                               108                                                                                99                                                                               100                                                                                99                                                                               100                                                                                99                                    Compression  123                                                                               124                                                                               124                                                                               125                                                                               128                                                                               122                                                                               123                                                                               121                                                                               121                                                                               122                                    Feeling upon hitting**                                                                      E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E                                      __________________________________________________________________________      **E: Excellent                                                           

                  TABLE 31                                                         ______________________________________                                         Formulating Ratios of Cover Layers                                                    Comparative Experiments                                                        84   85     86     87   88   89   90   91                               ______________________________________                                         Ionomer resin                                                                           100    100    100  100  100  --   --   --                             Trans-poly-                                                                             --     --     --   --   --   100  100  100                            isoprene resin                                                                 Sulfur   --     --     --   --   --    1    1    1                             Vulcanization                                                                           --     --     --   --   --   15   15   15                             accelerator                                                                    Titanium 20     --     30   --   --   30   --   20                             dioxide                                                                        Potassium                                                                               --     20     --   30   --   --   30   --                             titanate fibers                                                                (untreated)                                                                    Surface  --     --     --   --   30   --   --   --                             treated fibers                                                                 Durability                                                                              81     82     81   83   75   76   77   73                             index                                                                          Bounce   82     82     83   84   84   85   86   81                             impact                                                                         elasticity                                                                     Compression                                                                             101    102    102  101  98   97   96   95                             Feeling upon                                                                            B      B      B    B    B    B    B    B                              hitting**                                                                      ______________________________________                                          **B: Bad                                                                  

What is claimed is:
 1. A rubber composition for a cover layer of a golf ball, which comprises at least one natural and/or synthetic rubber component(s) and alkali metal titanate fibers subjected to a surface treatment with about 0.05 to 10% by weight based on the weight of the fibers of a surface treating agent prior to mixing with said rubber component(s), said surface treating agent being selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formula I: ##STR3## wherein each R¹ independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, each R² independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, each X independently represents a hydrolyzable group, a is an integer of from 1 to 3, and b is an integer of from 0 to 2 with the proviso that 1≦(a+b)≦3;and compounds represented by the formula II: ##STR4## wherein each R³ is independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, each R⁴ independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, each Y independently represents a hydrolyzable group, c is an integer of from 0 to 2 and n is an integer of from 1 to
 6. 2. A rubber composition according to claim 1, which comprises 100 weight parts of the rubber component(s) and 2 to 100 weight parts of the alkali metal titanate fibers.
 3. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein said surface treating agent is selected from the group consisting of:bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide; γ-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane; γ-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane; bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide; and bis(mercaptopropyl) tetramethyldisiloxane.
 4. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the rubber component is ionomer resin.
 5. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the rubber component is trans-polyisoprene resin.
 6. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the alkali metal titanate fibers are potassium titanate fibers. 